Wallkill's season-opening tourney features top soccer teams

The boys' soccer season starts with a bang on Friday, but it'll also be a weekend of remembrance for the Wallkill community.

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By William Montgomery

recordonline.com

By William Montgomery

Posted Aug. 28, 2014 at 9:15 PM
Updated Aug 29, 2014 at 12:11 AM

By William Montgomery

Posted Aug. 28, 2014 at 9:15 PM
Updated Aug 29, 2014 at 12:11 AM

Tournament schedule

(All games at Andrews Field at Wallkill High School)

Friday

Goshen vs. Washingtonville, 11 a.m.

Wallkill vs. Newburgh Free Academy, 2 p.m.

Saturday

Consolation ga...

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Tournament schedule

(All games at Andrews Field at Wallkill High School)

Friday

Goshen vs. Washingtonville, 11 a.m.

Wallkill vs. Newburgh Free Academy, 2 p.m.

Saturday

Consolation game, 11 a.m.

Championship game, 2 p.m.

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The boys' soccer season starts with a bang on Friday, but it'll also be a weekend of remembrance for the Wallkill community.

For the first time, Wallkill will host the Donald V. Andrews Memorial tournament on Friday and Saturday, named for the longtime Wallkill superintendent and Mid-Hudson Athletic League chairman.

Andrews died in October last year, and his son, Todd, Wallkill's varsity boys' soccer coach, thought a season-opening tournament would be a fitting tribute to his father.

"I just wanted to do it because my dad was superintendent of Wallkill for so many years and all the Wallkill sports meant so much to him," Andrews said. "I thought this was something I could do to honor him. Especially with soccer, since me, my brother (Eric, head coach at Port Jervis) and my sister (Danielle) all played for Wallkill. I thought it would be a great way for him to be remembered."

Wallkill's soccer field has been named after Donald Andrews since he retired in 2004.

Andrews also played a major role in the expansion of the MHAL, which branched into Dutchess County during his tenure.

Goshen, Newburgh Free Academy and Washingtonville round out the tournament field, making it a fearsome foursome of teams. Wallkill and Goshen played in the 2013 Section 9 Class A championship game, with Goshen beating a previously undefeated Wallkill squad. Washingtonville (2012) and NFA (2008-11) are recent winners of Section 9 Class AA titles.

"When I found out the date, I said, "Man, right out of the gate there's no lull," Goshen coach Mike Kelly said. "You like to get an early season game going to get the intensity up. Right away, we get AAs Washingtonville and Newburgh and Wallkill, which lost a few players but brings back (Sean) Cray and (Tucker) Lundgren. They have a great core coming back."